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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Watson's in June

Fresh strawberries purchased directly from the grower are one of my favorite June treats. For those of you (are there any of you?) who have only eaten those huge tough strawberry-like things offered in supermarkets year round, real, fresh-picked strawberries are an entirely different experience. Think of the difference between a rubbery, flavorless, mid-winter supermarket tomato and one picked from your garden. Anyway, there are several growers in the valley in which Watson's nursery is located. Since I had to get some berries anyway, might as well visit Watson's as well, right? Exciting news, on the way from the strawberry place to Watson's, I saw a sign for a new nursery. Nothing big or fancy, just a start-up with what appeared from the road to be a nice selection of potted roses, and perennials. They were closed but I hope to check them out on my next strawberry run. It's so exciting to see a new nursery pop up these days. I'm old enough to remember when Watson's first opened it's much smaller retail area. I bought my first Fuchsia basket in this state from Watson's in 1984.

Now Watson's operates in a series of Belgian-built, state of the art steel and glass houses.

See many previous visits here. Watson's is a large full-service nursery with a staff of 50 which explains how things always look so tidy and clean. There are always several folks around primping the plants, deadheading, etc.

Stachys ‘Bello Grigio’ is everywhere now. From my experience, it abhors shade and good moist soil, preferring sun, poor soil, and neglect in the hell strip.

Gratuitous plant sex scenes.

If you're looking for a rusty metal horse, Watson's has you covered!

Aluminum garbage can planters.

Hosta 'Electrocution' Hmmm.

Less lethal friends.

You can prepare for the fourth of July

or your vacation at the beach.

Upon what kind of alien beach did these shiny beauties wash? I kind of dig them.

This planter creature is pretty cool, too.

Want a garden room but lack a green thumb? All it takes is a little green in your wallet and a bunch of silk and voila -

Can't go wrong with blue and yellow!

There's always color to be had here!

A quiet moment at the cafe.

I forgot the name of this seriously tempting hydrangea with burgundy foliage and red, yes red, flowers.

So, what made it into the cart?

A couple more New Guinea impatiens, orange tuberous begonias for a turquoise pot, and Tagetes 'Lemon Gem' which I grow for the awesome fragrance of the foliage.

May your weekend be as bright and cheerful as the colors of these flowers! Sorticulture takes place in Everett this weekend and I hope to attend for the first time. By all accounts, it's incredible! Will I see you there?

I'm also thinking Sky Nursery when seeing your pictures. I can spend hours in such a plant and knick-knack heaven. I have lamb-ears on the parking strip: not much to look at in winter, but they always come back soft and silvery, and ask for so little in return. The octopus-planter: YUM! I went to Sorticulture last year: I loved it: a spectacular setting in the park. You'll have a wonderful time! (plan on using the Park-and-Ride).

Thank you Peter!‘Bello Grigio’ survived last winter in my garden. It grows in part shade and relatively poor soil.... I got dizzy looking at the Sorticulture vendors... I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go there -too many temptations!

I had to do a double take -- I thought you wrote "pimping" the plants instead of "primping." I'm glad you've figured out the secret to that stachys. I haven't succumbed this year and just walk briskly by when I see it at nurseries. Full sun, poor soil here is certain death. My next attempt would be a container....if I found the stachys really cheap.

About Me

Why Outlaw Gardener? I like to break the rules of good taste, plant placement, and plant hardiness. Also, I have received periodic "love notes" from the city code enforcement officer telling me that my parking strip plants encroach on the city's right-of-way. When expressing my distress over the latest such notice, I exclaimed to my pal Loree (Danger Garden) "I'm an outlaw gardener!" To which she replied,"That would be a good name for a blog."
My first gardens were in Southeast Alaska (zone 3.)I do miss the beauty and community of small-town Alaska but I don't take for granted for a moment how wonderful it is to garden in zone 8.